Hall Creek — Saturday, Apr. 30, 2016

Snoqualmie Region > North Bend Area

Overall 7.2mi RT 1200m ascent. Hall Point, Hall Creek Trail, "Macchu Picchu Trail". Coming off a one-month cold, I wanted a trail that was relatively simple and with an option for extenion. My plan was to ascend to Hall Pt, then return to Hall Creek and visit the (lower) falls. Having coughed excessively for a few minutes atop Hall Pt, I felt well enough by the time I got to the falls to continue along the Hall Creek trail. I had previously walked that way only far enough to get an initial track, but decided I'd continue along it until I was tired, figuring that it continued until the upper falls. Instead, the Hall Creek trail continues a great distance. After crossing the creek twice, it appears as though some areas of the trail are still under construction. There are many cut trees strewn about, and branches are over various parts of the trail. Eventually the trail reaches a signed turn-off for the "Macchu Picchu trail", but shortly thereafter I reached a creek crossing that I felt was impassable today (this spot is, in fact, shortly downhill from the third waterfall on Hall Creek Road, below Zig Zag, just past the area on that road that is typically a broad stream). Returning from the creek, I decided to check the "Macchu Picchu trail", which I enclose in quotes only because I doubt I had magically been transported 5200mi south. Indeed, this trail ascends to the middle section of an old forest service road, which is currently well overgrown. Travelling southeast on that road (current estimate 1mi) will lead to a junction with the upward section of the Zig Zag road. The westward direction should lead around the east side of the Hall Peak ridge. Apparently there is now a boot path leading down from Hall Peak, across "Easter Landing", and heading directly down to "J's Landing".